The couplings add considerably to the disc's attraction. Volkov's readings of The Ballad of Blaník and The Fiddler's Child have plenty of guts along with the sort of no-nonsense directness of expression that Janácek's music ideally requires. I also prefer this colorful rendition of Smolka and Zahrádka's suite from The Excursions of Mr. Broucek to Belohlávek's less emphatic, less satisfyingly engineered Supraphon recording. If you haven't heard this sensitively-made arrangement of orchestral excerpts from Janácek's two one-act comedies, then you have been missing a treat. The music is simply wonderful, and perhaps will generate some interest in the quirky original operas themselves. Charles Mackerras badly wants to record them. Is anyone listening? Meanwhile, buy this, and enjoy.